US hospital forced nurse to assist with abortion

The US government has accused a hospital in Vermont of violating the civil rights of a nurse by forcing her to help carry out an abortion.

The nurse, who has not been named, said she told the hospital that she could not take part in pregnancy terminations because of her religious beliefs.

Health workers are protected under federal law from discrimination based on their religious or moral beliefs.

The University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMC) denies the allegations.

According to a complaint filed by the nurse’s lawyers, she was at first misled about the nature of the procedure to believe it was related to a miscarriage. When she was told it was an abortion, she asked if another member of staff could assist but her request was refused.